Eisenhower Sees Injection of Anti-semitism in Strauss Issue As “tragic”

President Eisenhower today termed it “tragic” if the issue of anti-Semitism were brought forward in connection with his nomination of Admiral Lewis L. Strauss as Secretary of Commerce.

At his press conference today, the President was asked by a correspondent: “Do you agree with the charge of some of the Republican Congressmen that anti-Semitism may be a factor in Admiral Strauss’ confirmation difficulties on Capitol Hill?”

The President replied that he did not know this charge emanated from Republicans. He said that if it is brought forward seriously, this is, indeed, tragic. He added that Admiral Strauss is a man of the highest type of character and ability who devoted many years of his life to public service.

While President Eisenhower was notifying Senate leaders that he would not withdraw his nomination of Admiral Strauss under any circumstances, hints that anti-Semitism might be a factor in the battle against confirmation were aired in the House and the Senate yesterday. Formal debate in the Senate on the confirmation of Mr. Strauss is expected tomorrow.

Rep. Steven B. Derounian, Republican, N. Y. , declared that he had repeatedly refused to believe “and I still refuse to believe, but it is being impressed on me constantly that the opposition to Mr. Strauss, in reality, is based on religious prejudice. If that is true, it revolts me as an American citizen. “

Senator Hugh Scott, Pennsylvania Republican, said there was a parallel with the Dreyfus case of 1894. He added that he thought the American people would react “as solidly in criticism of the attempt to deny the confirmation of the nomination of Mr. Strauss as the general public reacted to the Dreyfus case when Emile Zola wrote his “J Accuse.” Public protest forced the release of M. Dreyfus after he had been court-martialed on forged papers.

Sen. Wayne Morse, Oregon Democrat, avowed enemy of Adm. Strauss denied the opposition was based on religious grounds. He said “two prominent Jewish leaders” had called him and said their offices had received “a great many calls making the allegation.” Sen. Morse said he opposed Adm. Strauss strictly on personal character and that there is “not a scintilla of truth” to “vicious propaganda” that opposition to Adm. Strauss is rooted in anti-Semitism.

Sen. Jacob K. Javits, New York Republican, called the anti-Semitism issue “a pretty slippery business. ” He said it would be a “disservice to American Jewry and to the American people generally if it were not once and for all disposed of in the Senate. ” Adding that he was “Jewish and proud to be, ” Sen. Javits declared that he was certain that Jews were not united on either side of the question of confirmation and that he hoped “no Senator will let this intrude” into the debate. “

Sen. Kenneth B. Keating, New York Republican, said he wanted to associate himself with Sen. Javits in denouncing the anti-Semitic issue.

Asked for comment, Admiral Strauss said: “I have not been aware thus vary of any anti-Semitism in the opposition to my confirmation. ” He added he did not wish to go beyond that statement.